LEBANON — Through three quarters Friday, Lebanon’s offense couldn’t find any sparks, and it put the group in a 14-point hole entering the fourth.
It would eventually finish in a thriller — as the last 12 minutes saw the Cedars grab all the momentum in Lebanon Alumni Stadium, but a turnover on downs with two minutes remaining left the final score at 14-8 in a loss to Elizabethtown.
As the defense held the Bears to zero fourth-quarter points, a long drive by the Cedars offense was enough to get the sidelines roaring with energy. Through his seventh game as Lebanon’s head coach, Tyler Pritchett said the crowd’s support was special to see.
“We preach in our program the importance of being a family — and today I really saw that from these kids, I saw it from these coaches, and for the first time I saw it from the community,” Pritchett said. “The people in the stands cheered these young men on — and I am so happy (the players) got to experience that, especially my seniors.”
How are playoffs lining up? Lebanon County football's postseason outlook through six weeks
Thursday football: Northern Lebanon's Ryan brothers continue "making moments" in Week 7
The Cedars' leaders have made plays in moments all season, and they continued to show up on the most crucial downs against E-town while encouraging the sideline. Senior quarterback Brandyn Castro was a dual-threat factor down the stretch and directed the Cedars’ scoring drive capped off with a contested touchdown pass to junior Malachi Briddell.
Pritchett spoke highly of Castro and the group's other leaders after the comeback attempt and reflected on their influence through his first season at Lebanon.
“This senior class is my first here, and they laid the foundation for what it's supposed to look like,” Pritchett said. “(Our players) felt for the first time this season what it's like to be a team — and to fight not individual battles, but fight together.”
“That's very rewarding for me to see from them because that's something (the coaches) preached when we got here in April.”
Lebanon’s seniors have had their share of big plays this year, and it’s seen some underclassmen step up to follow their lead.
Briddell was a highlight through the low-scoring battle and showed his versatility against E-town to continue the impressive campaign he’s had so far.
Aside from his athletic touchdown that saw him leap above several defenders, the junior made several appearances as a wildcat quarterback and consistently delivered. Pritchett said Briddell’s growth since preseason has been easy to notice, and that the junior has led off the field, too.
With three games left in the regular season, the Cedars homecoming game shows what to build off of moving forward. After trailing 14-0, the energy and performance through the fourth quarter was dominant — so the difference of a few plays is a lesson that Lebanon can take away.
“Football is the greatest teacher of life, and when things don't go your way you have a choice — just give up, or you can continue to persevere and fight,” Pritchett said. “Obviously it's not the result that we wanted, but I do think we took a huge step in being competitive, and I think we took a huge step to turning this culture around.”
After the closest game Lebanon has seen all year, it’s clear that the players and fans are invested in the team’s progress. Pritchett’s message has been staying “1-0” through all aspects, and the action versus E-town was a display of why each step of the way matters.
“They showed they have some guts, and showed that the community of Lebanon has something to be proud of,” Pritchett said. “I really hope tonight is the turning point because I think once they lock in and truly fight, they're a different ball team.”
Other scores from Week 7
Lampeter-Strasburg 56, Northern Lebanon 3
ELCO 24, Octorara 14
Lancaster Catholic 49, Annville-Cleona 27
Manheim Township 38, Cedar Crest 13
Lower Dauphin 44, Palmyra 0
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Week 7 scores: Lebanon's fourth quarter leads "community rally" in last-minute ending
Local News
